Tuesday, July 15, 2025

The Best of Ireland

 After our Scottish Isles trip we flew to Dublin to begin a small group tour of Ireland. We had not really enjoyed the bus trips on our Scottish trip, so we didn't hold out too much hope for the second trip. Boy, were we wrong. The trip was truly "The Best"! 

Best Hotels

Huge room at The Merchant Hotel in Belfast

Amazing service and grandeur of Ashford Castle

Another spacious room at Lough Eske Castle

Lough Eske Castle

Interesting plumbing and many large bathrooms

Old Grand Hotel in Ennis - in addition to this sitting area, 
our room had a sun porch for relaxing


Best Food & Drink

Many beautiful and scrumptious buffets


Plentiful Guinness
I found Guinness bread to be the best! (no pictures, it all went in my belly)

Opportunities to taste Irish whiskey 

Opportunity to make, and enjoy, traditional Irish coffee



Best Stops & Activities

We learned a lot about the flocks of sheep and the amazing work of the sheep dogs

We toured distilleries; large and small (this is Jameson)

Smithwick Ale in Kilkenny

The cliffs of Moher

A trail ride on Charlie, an Irish cob

Shooting Skeet

Meeting local dogs



Tour of Belleek factory

Kylemore Abbey: a Benedictine estate with remarkable gardens in Connemara - but no Connemara ponies to be seen on our journey. 

Visiting resting places of famous folks

Giants Causeway

Titanic Belfast - an amazing, immersive experience learning about the work of the Harland & 
Wolff Shipyard


Best Tour Guide



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The Best of Ireland

 After our Scottish Isles trip we flew to Dublin to begin a small group tour of Ireland. We had not really enjoyed the bus trips on our Scot...